Trip Fontaine(Mostly Harmless) posted this on Tuesday, 6th November 2001, 10:26
The upshot of this thread is should I or should I not buy the Apocalypse Now Redux DVD. Usually I would have no probs in making this decision, it would be an outright `YES` as it is one of the best films I`ve ever seen.
However, I already own it on DVD when it came out less than a year ago. Yes, thats right, a new version surfaces with added bells and whistles on (49 mins extra footage to be precise) Now normally I would be thrilled with this but I can`t help thinkin that another year down the line..ANOTHER version will come out and then ANOTHER.....and I`ll just be parting with my money to MR Coppola make more stunning films these days like er, Jack!
The reason I say this is because the new Redux version has literally NO features. So a year down the line can we expect Apocalypse Now Redux: Platinum Edition.....theres endless amounts of additional material which could be lobbed in such as a commentary (Mr Coppola it would seem likes doing these ...eg. The Conversation, Godfather Trilogy, even the Kurtz Compound ending on my previous version) and also there is his wife`s documentary `Hearts Of Darkness` which could be added.
POTENTIAL SPOILER
Topping this off is the revelation, which I read in Uncut magazine, that a 4 hour print of the film exists and has been unearthed. This version of the film shows the killing of Dennis Hopper`s character and also Martin Sheen slaying children of the tribe on the way to hacking Brando amongst other scenes. Which would make a mad film even madder but probably provide a more sensible ending. My point being will this too see the light of day on DVD as "Apocalypse Now Redux : Platinum Edition....no really it is, honest guv`nor!"
So come on Coppola you are acting like your good buddy Mr Lucas with his yearly fleecing of punters with the Star Wars Trilogy on VHS. Give us the definitive version, or at least a promise that there will be no further additions!
